R. HENRY DAVIES, B.A., Incumbent of the Church.
T. B. DIPLOCK, M.D., G. W. RICHARDS, } Churchwardens.
There was another account given of this bell many years ago. It was that the Hon. W Ashburnham was returning home from Lambeth in a boat at night, when almost suddenly there came a dense fog over the river, which prevented him seeing any object whatever. He became alarmed, and allowed the boat to drift for some distance, expecting every moment it would run foul of some barge or craft, and that he would be plunged into the river, when to his great joy he heard Chelsea Church clock strike nine, and, judging from the sound that he was nearly opposite the church, he seized the oars and pulled away as direct as he could towards it, and at length landed safely on shore. It afterwards appeared that had the boat drifted much further it would have been upset, and in all probability Mr. Ashburnham would have met with a watery grave. The family, considering the striking of the clock to have been a most providential means of saving his life, gave the bell, and made certain conditions that it should be rung every evening during the winter months, in case of any future similar event. The sexton paid 5s. to the bell-ringer for attending at nine o’clock, as stated, for the season.
On the right of the western entrance, in the south aisle, is an inscription to the memory of Teak S. Edwards, Esq., F.L.S., who died in 1819, aged 50. “As a faithful delineator of nature few equalled, and none excelled.”
Near to where now the Homilies are placed was originally fixed the monument of Lt.-Col. the Hon. H. Cadogan, executed by Chantrey, a fine specimen of that celebrated sculptor’s chisel. It was removed to the New Parish Church, some years since, and consequently it must be noticed in the account of that beautiful architectural edifice.
LORD AND LADY DACRE.—This is one of the most magnificent monuments that can be found in any parish church in London, and my only surprise is that so few of the inhabitants of the parish, comparatively, have inspected it. It stands against the wall of the south aisle, and was erected to the memory of Gregory, Lord Dacre, and Anne, his wife. They are represented in white marble, lying on a sarcophagus, under an arch supported by marble pillars of the Corinthian order. Lord Dacre is in armour, with a long beard and short hair; her ladyship is habited in a gown and long cloak with a ruff. A dog is at the feet of each. On either side is a lofty obelisk. Over the arch are the arms of the family; the whole is richly ornamented with flowers and several pieces of elaborate Mosaic work.